08 Aug Now that you have completed a Gemba Walkwhere you’ve gathered information about the organization and identified opportunities to eliminate inefficiencies, reduce waste, improve a p
Assignment Content
- Now that you have completed a Gemba Walk—where you’ve gathered information about the organization and identified opportunities to eliminate inefficiencies, reduce waste, improve a product, or streamline a process—it’s time to look closer at these potential improvements and get to the root cause of why the issues are occurring. After reviewing these potential opportunities for improvements, you will analyze how you can apply systems thinking at the strategic level for your organization in the Week 6 Summative Assessment.
For more information about how to use 5 Whys or a Fishbone diagram to conduct a root cause analysis, check out the following videos:
- The 5 Whys of Problem-Solving Method
- Cause and Effect Analysis
- Individually, create either a 5 Whys or a Fishbone diagram for one of the opportunities (short-term or long-term) that you identified during your Gemba walk. Work through each step of the 5 Whys or Fishbone processes to find the root cause(s) of the problem and the potential opportunity for its solution within your organization.
Post your diagram to your team forum for review.
Opportunities for Improvement Recommendation Report for restor3d Medical Devices Company
Kendra Thorpe
MHA/505
University of Phoenix
Dr. Kehoe
August 4, 2023
Opportunities for Improvement Recommendation Report for restor3d Medical Devices Company
Summary of the Organization
restor3d Medical Devices Company is an esteemed manufacturer of state-of-the-art medical devices encompassing an extensive range of diagnostic equipment and life-saving implants. The mission of the organization is to enhance healthcare outcomes through the provision of medical devices that exhibit superior quality, reliability, and technological advancements. The organization aspires to become a prominent figure in the medical device industry on a global scale, spearheading progress in healthcare by developing state-of-the-art products.
Context of Gemba Walk:
During the Gemba walk, considerable attention was directed towards the manufacturing department, with a particular emphasis placed on the production line responsible for manufacturing a vital medical apparatus within the company's portfolio. This area was chosen due to its fundamental significance in the primary operations of the organization, for any inadequacies or mismanagement within the manufacturing procedure may have a significant influence on the standard, expenditure, and timeliness of product delivery.
Utilization of SWOT Analysis
The utilization of the SWOT analysis served as a valuable tool in the context of the Gemba walk, facilitating the identification of prospective weaknesses and threats inherent within the manufacturing process. The objective was to utilize these insights in order to discern potential areas for enhancement and overcome any hindrances that may impede the company's progress and achievements.
Gemba Observations
The goal of Gemba: The primary objective of conducting the Gemba walk was to engage in active observation of the production process with the aim of identifying existing inefficiencies and uncovering potential avenues for streamlining operations and elevating the overall quality of the end product.
Location: The Gemba walk took place on the production floor where one of the critical medical devices was being assembled.
Observations: Throughout the walk, I diligently scrutinized the complete manufacturing procedure from its commencement to its culmination. I devoted careful attention to the sequence of production processes, the tasks performed by workers, the arrangement of workstations, and the comprehensive design and organization of the production area. Furthermore, I actively fostered dialogues with both production line operators and supervisors to acquire valuable insights into the difficulties they face on a daily basis, as well as their perspectives on enhancing the overall process.
Analysis of Observations
Inefficient Workflow: The production flow demonstrated certain inefficiencies which resulted in material bottlenecks and subsequent production delays. Specific workstations exhibited a disproportionate degree of workloads in comparison to others, resulting in imbalances within the production line.
Worker Skill Development: While the workforce was skilled, there was an opportunity to enhance their training and cross-training to increase flexibility and efficiency.
Quality Control: Despite effective quality management systems within the company, certain aspects of the production process necessitate supplementary quality control measures to mitigate the probability of defects and the subsequent need for rework.
Key Takeaways
Balanced Workload: Balancing the workload across workstations will help minimize production bottlenecks and maintain a smooth production flow.
Employee Training: Investing in continuous training and cross-training of employees will enhance their skills, flexibility, and overall productivity.
Enhanced Quality Control: Strengthening quality control measures will lead to a reduction in defects and rework, ensuring that the medical devices meet the highest quality standards.
Opportunities for Improvement
Long-term Opportunity
Implement Lean Manufacturing Principles: The implementation of lean manufacturing principles will result in the optimization of production processes, the elimination of inefficient practices, and the enhancement of overall operational efficiency (Lean Enterprise Institute, 2020). This methodology will cultivate a culture inclined towards perpetual enhancement and enable employees to proactively identify and rectify inefficiencies.
Short-term Opportunities
Production Line Reconfiguration: Reconfiguring the arrangement of the production line layout in accordance with lean principles is expected to yield enhancements in material flow, decreased superfluous actions, and improved efficiency in the assembly procedure.
Standardized Work Instructions: According to Golomski (2021), the implementation of standardized work instructions is integral in guaranteeing consistency within the production process, subsequently resulting in a diminishment of errors and discrepancies in the final product outcome.
Quality Training Program: The implementation of a comprehensive quality training program specifically designed for production line operators will significantly contribute to their improved comprehension of quality standards, subsequently resulting in a reduction in the occurrence of defects and an overall increase in product reliability (Golomski, 2021).
References
Lean Enterprise Institute. (2020). lean.org – Lean Enterprise Institute | Lean Production | Lean Manufacturing | LEI | Lean Services. Lean.org. https://www.lean.org/
Golomski, W. A. (2021). American Society for Quality (ASQ). https://doi.org/10.1002/0471667196.ess0035.pub2
